The Open University of Sri Lanka

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

ECX6241 – Field Theory

Assignment 2 – 2010/2011
Submit on or before 06th September 2010.
Late submissions will be subjected to marks reductions.

Q.1 A point charge q lies at (0,0,z) while a flat disc of radius R containing a uniform charge
density σ C/m2 is on the xy plane with its center at the origin. Determine the force experienced
by the point charge.

Q
Q.2 Show that the flux density D = (1 − cos 3 r)u r in a spherical coordinate system is caused
πr 2
3Q
by the charge distribution ρ = sin 3 r .
πr 2
Q.3. Derive an expression for the magnetic field long the axis of a long solenoid of radius R,
formed by closely wound wire carrying current I. The number of turns is N.

Q.4 Write short notes on following topics.

i. The process of breakdown of insulators
ii. Corona

Q.5 Determine the capacitances of a parallel-plate capacitors filled with two dielectrics as
shown in the figures.

Area A1 Area A1 Area A2

εr d1
V V εr d1
Air
Air d2

(a) (b)
Q.6
a. State Coulomb’s law.
b. A free charge distribution is given by ρ = ar C/m3 for 0 ≤ r ≤ R and ρ = 0 for r > R .
(The electric polarization is P is everywhere zero.)
a. Calculate the components of the electric field in and around this charge
distribution.
b. Calculate the potential function corresponding to the electric filed of part (a).
Choose the arbitrary constants so that
i. V → 0 as r → ∞
ii. V is continuous at r=R
aR 3
In this way show that the potential at r=0 is given by V (0) =
3ε 0
Q.7
1. A homogenous material of uniform conductivity σ is shaped like a truncated conical
block and defined in spherical coordinates by R1 ≤ R ≤ R2 and 0 ≤ θ ≤ θ 0 . Determine
the resistance between the R = R1 and R = R2 surfaces.
2. Redo the above problem assuming that the truncated conical block is composed of an
σ R
inhomogeneous material with a non-uniform conductivity σ ( R) = 0 1 where
R
R1 ≤ R ≤ R2 .

Prepared By
W.D.S.S. Bandara
Academic Coordinator – ECX6241